Golden Eagles take 24-23 lead in all-time series with Braves

At a glance

•Key play: The Golden Eagles' Alex Clark converted a fourth-and-1 in the second quarter with a 2-yard run from the Olentangy 9-yard line. A play later, Lucas Garcia scored on a 7-yard run to put Big Walnut ahead for good at 14-7.

•Key stat: Olentangy went 70 yards on its second drive of the game. The Braves were limited to 48 yards for the remainder of the first half.

The Big Walnut High School football team turned in a dominating performance, scoring 27 unanswered points in a 41-13 victory over visiting Olentangy on Friday, Sept. 9.

"Ever since our season ended last year, it's been 'Tangy, Tangy' all summer long," said Golden Eagles running back Joey Johnson, who scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 36 yards. "This is the game we've been preparing for. To win like this is just crazy."

The Eagles, who won 13-10 last season, took a 24-23 lead in the all-time series.

Olentangy looked like it would take control early, marching 70 yards on 10 plays on its second possession, with Joshua Perry scoring on a 1-yard run. But the Braves managed only 48 yards in the remainder of the first half.

"Our kids came out and played well in all phases of the game," said Big Walnut coach Joe Weaver, whose team improved to 2-1 overall while Olentangy fell to 1-2. "They came out and got after it."

Eagles quarterback Tyler Beam kept Big Walnut in rhythm offensively, rushing for 63 yards on 15 carries and completing seven of 11 passes for 67 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown to Seth Wandling as the Eagles took a 24-7 lead in the first half. Beam left the game after spraining an ankle on the first possession of the second half.

The Braves opened the second half with an onside kick that tight end Jay Miller recovered and returned 30 yards to set up a 28-yard field goal by Corey Gibson.

Perry, an Ohio State recruit who was suspended for last week's game, also had two sacks and returned a kickoff 99 yards for Olentangy's only score in the second half.

"Big Walnut deserved to win," Olentangy coach Ed Terwilliger said. "They finished off some drives, but I was proud of our kids. They didn't quit."